Nutmeg
Nutmeg is a common culinary spice derived from the seeds of Myristica fragrans,1 a plant indigenous to Indonesia and New Guinea.2 Its primary psychoactive constituent is myristicin,3 a phenylpropene aromatic ether.4 When consumed orally in quantities far exceeding culinary use, nutmeg produces deliriant, hallucinogenic, and oneirogenic effects.5 Its widespread availability as an ordinary household spice makes it one of the most accessible psychoactive substances.3
Contents
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Approximately 10 g (about two teaspoons) can cause symptoms of toxicity.
Duration
Subjective Effects
Nutmeg produces a delirious, dysphoric intoxication that is widely regarded as unpleasant rather than recreational. Onset is unusually delayed, often taking several hours before effects appear, which frequently leads users to believe the dose was inactive. Once present, the experience is dominated by confusion, nausea, dizziness, and severe physical discomfort rather than any coherent psychedelic state, and the aftermath can extend into a hangover of dry mouth and general illness lasting a day or more, with lingering malaise sometimes persisting for several days.
Physical
The body load is heavy and punishing, featuring nausea, sickening dizziness, severe headache, and motor impairment severe enough to prevent standing or walking. Pronounced dry mouth and a prolonged, debilitating hangover follow the acute effects.
Uncomfortable
Physical discomfort dominates the experience and extends well beyond the acute phase.
Cognitive
The headspace is one of unmitigated confusion and delirium with a strongly dysphoric emotional tone; users report no euphoria or pleasure at any point in the experience.
Emotional
Impairment
The mental state is deliriant in character, marked by disorganized and confused cognition rather than lucid alteration.
Auditory
Persistent ringing in the ears has been reported during the peak of the experience.
Tactile
Touch and proprioception become unreliable, with solid surfaces losing their apparent firmness.
Reagent Testing
Loading reagent data
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
The psychoactive effects of nutmeg appear to derive from anticholinergic-like hallucinogenic mechanisms attributed primarily to myristicin and elemicin, two phenylpropanoid compounds present in the essential oil.3 Myristicin has additionally been identified as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor.36 The essential oil is a complex mixture containing dozens of terpenes and phenylpropanoids, and the overall psychoactive profile likely reflects contributions from multiple constituents rather than a single compound.7
Pharmacokinetics
Tolerance
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
Extremely LowThe intensely dysphoric and physically unpleasant nature of nutmeg intoxication provides minimal reinforcing effects, though recreational use does occur among those seeking a low-cost high, particularly adolescents and prisoners with limited access to other substances.8
Toxicity
Large doses can cause convulsions, delirium, confusion, severe headaches, amnesia, and generalized body pain; these effects may persist for several days following intoxication.
Palpitations and cardiovascular stress can occur with large doses due to myristicin content.8
Nausea and eventual dehydration are commonly reported effects of nutmeg intoxication at recreational doses.8
Large amounts consumed during pregnancy may cause premature labor and miscarriage; nutmeg was historically considered an abortifacient.8
Allergic reactions and contact dermatitis have been reported with nutmeg exposure.8
Psychosis Risk
High doses can cause serious toxic effects including acute psychosis.8 Delirium, anxiety, and confusion are common features of intoxication,8 with risks heightened in individuals with pre-existing psychiatric conditions.
Seizure Risk
Myristicin, a major psychoactive component of nutmeg, can cause convulsions when consumed in large amounts.8
History & Culture
Origins and Ancient Trade
Nutmeg is native to the Banda Islands, a cluster of eleven small volcanic islands within the Maluku archipelago of eastern Indonesia. These remote islands remained the world's sole source of both nutmeg and mace until the mid-nineteenth century. Archaeological excavations on Pulau Ai have yielded…
Legality
References
Source Pages
Citations
- E. A. Abourashed, & A. T. El-Alfy. (2016). Chemical diversity and pharmacological significance of the secondary metabolites of nutmeg (''Myristica fragrans'' Houtt.). Phytochemistry Reviews, 15(6), 1035–1056. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-016-9469-x1
- (2003). Section I - The plant and the environment (Nutmeg and Mace). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. https://www.fao.org/4/x5047e/x5047E04.htm1
- (n.d.). Mace Poisoning: Accidental Toxic Ingestion in a Child Leading to a Reversible Coma. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11754422/1234
- (2022). Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) essential oil: A review on its composition, biological, and pharmacological activities. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9541156/12
- (n.d.). Introduction - NTP Technical Report on the Toxicity Studies of Myristicin (CASRN 607-91-0) Administered by Gavage to F344/NTac Rats and B6C3F1/N Mice. National Toxicology Program. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556998/1
- (n.d.). Pharmacological and Therapeutic Potential of Myristicin: A Literature Review. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8512857/1
- (n.d.). Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil from the seeds of Myristica fragrans Houtt. (nutmeg oil) for all animal species (FEFANA asbl). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10273060/1
- (n.d.). Myristica fragrans Houtt. (PIM 355). International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS), WHO/UNEP/ILO. https://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/plant/pim355.htm12345678910
- (January 2015). Unintentional nutmeg autointoxication. Netherlands Journal of Medicine. https://www.njmonline.nl/article_ft.php?a=1536&d=1013&i=1791
- (2018-10-03). 3,500-year-old pumpkin spice? Archaeologists find earliest use of nutmeg as a food. University of Washington News. https://www.washington.edu/news/2018/10/03/3500-year-old-pumpkin-spice-archaeologists-find-earliest-use-of-nutmeg-as-a-food/1
- (n.d.). Nutmeg Primer: History, Use + Whole vs Ground. Selefina Spices. https://www.selefina.com/primers/nutmeg.html123
- (2026-01-21). The Fall of Malacca: The 1511 Siege That Changed History Forever. Seasia.co. https://seasia.co/2026/01/21/the-fall-of-malacca-the-1511-siege-that-changed-history-forever1
- (n.d.). Great Explorers – António de Abreu. OceanWaveSail.Com. https://oceanwavesail.com/explore-sailing/great-explorers/great-explorers-antonio-de-abreu/12
- (n.d.). Tomé Pires Biography – Research Starters. EBSCO Research. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/biography/tome-pires1
- (2022). European Discovery & Conquest of the Spice Islands. World History Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1872/european-discovery--conquest-of-the-spice-islands/1
- (2012-08-06). The Nutmeg Wars. Neatorama. https://www.neatorama.com/2012/08/06/The-Nutmeg-Wars/12
- (n.d.). Flags, Symbols, & Currencies of Grenada. World Atlas. https://www.worldatlas.com/flags/grenada1
- (n.d.). The Storied History behind Connecticut's Nicknames. Connecticut History (CTHumanities). https://connecticuthistory.org/the-storied-history-behind-connecticuts-nicknames/12
Further Reading
ChemSpider: Myristicin Chemical Structure
DrugWise: Nutmeg
El-Alfy et al. 2016: Indirect modulation of endocannabinoid system by nutmeg- El-Alfy et al. 2019: Phenolic compounds from nutmeg inhibit FAAH
Healthline: High on Nutmeg - Effects and Dangers
NCATS: Myristicin Drug Profile
Project CBD: Chemicals in Nutmeg Boost Anandamide
PubChem: Myristicin Compound Summary
Automated synthesisInformation aggregated and synthesized using an autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins.
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